Bernard sounded dazed and confused on the other end of the phoneline. He was probably high from smoking weed or had too much T-Bird. Bernard needed a ride to go pick up his unemployment check. Bill thought "that’s just great" in the middle of a busy day. I have to take time out to drive this clown around town. But, as usual, he said yes. He went out to the reception area. Jenny had just arrived. He told her that he had go and take care of some personal business. Jenny looked up at him and smiled. She knew that it was Bernard. She knew that Bill had a soft spot for Bernard. Bill didn’t worry about the business as he walked out the door because he knew Jenny would take good care of things.

Bernard lived in the run down part of town. The rent for his studio apartment was less than $200 a month. Bernard was at least two months behind on his rent. But avoiding eviction was one of Bernard’s favorite pastimes. He was a smooth talker and was well acquainted with rental law. He would sometimes have his landlord so afraid that he would back off on pressuring Bernard for rent. Bill thought that if Bernard would use all that knowledge for good purposes, productive purposes, he could possibly use Bernard as a consultant. That is, until Bernard got back on his feet.

When Bill reached Bernard’s place he knocked on the door. It was open and Bill let himself in. Bernard was laying on his couch with the TV remote in his left hand and a cherry-ola cola in his right. Bernard looked as content as can be. He was watching his favorite show, Judge Judy. He liked how she handled people with a no nonsense style. Bernard asked bill if he wanted something to eat. Bill declined the offer because Bernard’s studio apartment was filthy. Dirty clothes and spoiled foodstuffs were mixed in clusters throughout the place. The stench was somewhat overpowering and robbed Bill of his appetite. Bernard acknowledged the declination and proceeded to place his feet, which were encased in crusty dusty smelly socks, into dirt-rotted sneakers. Bill looked at Bernard with disgust in regard to the level of filth in his apartment. Bernard felt Bill glaring at him and his apartment. Bernard looked back at Bill with a "what?" type look. Bill returned that look with a "I-Give-Up" type look.

Bernard had a hole in the back of his jeans right below his left buttock. Bill indicated to Bernard that he was not going anywhere with him if he looked that way. Bernard just ignored him, grabbed his fanny pack, and motioned toward the door. Bill put his hands on his hips as if to make a stand. Bernard stood his ground. Bill tried again to get Bernard’s attention with another look of disgust. This time a worse look than before. It didn’t work. Bernard opened the door and left the apartment. Bill stood there alone for a minute and reluctantly left the apartment. When Bill exited the building he found Bernard comfortably nestled in Bill’s car. Bill jumped into his car and sped away in an angry huff. Bernard just giggled and Bill pouted because his show of disgust didn’t work.